Sixth Session.

January 4th. 1900, 2.30 P.M.

The Council resumed, the President in the chair.

Minutes.—The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

Holiday Fares.—On the motion of Mr. Jeffery, seconded by Mr. Hughes it was resolved, "That the Minister of Railways be asked to grant holiday fares to page 20 public school teachers and school inspectors during holidays; and that the same concession be granted to teachers when travelling on business connected with the various branches of their institutes."

Technical Report.—On the motion of Mr. Parkinson, seconded by Mr. Gibbs, it was resolved, "That a copy of the report of the Council's Committee on manual and technical instruction be sent to every Education Board member, and to every newspaper in the colony."

On the motion of Mr. Eudey, seconded by Mr. McElrea, it was resolved, "That the hearty thanks of the Institute be accorded to the Committee on Technical Education for its very valuable report, and especially to Messrs. Watson, Gill and Grundy.

School Libraries.—Moved by Mr. Ryder, seconded by Mr. Ambrose, "That the Minister of Education be asked to assist school libraries by establishing distributing centres, such centres to be supported by a small annual grant."

The motion was lost by 16 to 19.

Balance Sheet.—The treasurer presented his annual balance sheet, which was adopted.

Appointment of Teachers.—On the motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Gibbs, it was resolved "That the Education Act, 1877, should be amended to empower Education Boards to appoint and transfer teachers without having to consult School Committees."

Petition to Parliament.—On the motion of Mr. E. N. Ormiston, seconded by Mr. Newton, it was resolved, "That as an additional means of securing that much-desired boon—a colonial scale of salaries—this Council urges upon each of its district branches to petition both Houses of Legislature on the question."

Patriotic Fund.—On the motion of Mr. Davidson, seconded by Mr. Stevens, It was resolved, "That this Council approves of the suggestion to give the children of the colony an opportunity to contribute to a New Zealand Children's Patriotic Fund in connection with the Transvaal Relief Fund."

Competitive Examinations.—On the motion of Mr. Jeffery, seconded by Mr. J. Grant, it was resolved, "That in competitive examinations, and for Teachers' and P.T.'s Certificates, the Education Department and Education Boards should not permit teachers to examine their own students in subjects they teach to those students."

Mr. Yoxall's Letter. The Committee reported "That having considered the letter of Mr. Yoxall re a Confederation of Teachers' Unions throughout the empire, this Committee recommends the Institute to reply that it is willing to join in such a movement. Your Committee has included a clause in the Constitution to enable that to be done."

On the motion of Mr. Gill, seconded by Mr. Stewart, the report was adopted.

Council in Committee.—The Council was resolved into Committee to consider the report of the Constitution Committee, and, on resuming, the Committee reported progress, and asked for leave to sit again.

Secretary's Expenses.—On the motion of Mr. Holmes, seconded by Mr. Law, it was resolved, "That the Secretary's expenses be paid out of the general funds."

Legal Assistance Fund.—On the motion of the Treasurer it was resolved, "That £50 be transferred from the General Fund to the Legal Assistance Fund "

Adjournment of Council.—The Council then adjourned till 7.80 p.m.